Blackjack is a casino classic. People have been playing for centuries and are still just as enamored today as they were when it was introduced as Vingt-un in France in the 18th century. The rules and format have undergone some tweaks over the years (with online casinos making it possible to play blackjack online), but the game has largely stayed true to the original.
Fortunately, for those of us who crave novel blackjack experiences, we have a few varieties with exciting new features on tap. One of them is 22 Blackjack – Free Bet. Originated by Geoff Hall, a casino game inventor, this variant was designed by the folks at Dragon Gaming—the same people who brought us Dragon Roulette. Whether you’re a fan of online blackjack in Canada or anywhere else, this version offers unique rules and free bets to keep the action fresh and rewarding.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to play basic blackjack and how 22 Blackjack – Free Bet differs, with a special focus on its unique features. We’ll also explain why Bodog Casino is the best place on the web for Canadians to play online blackjack with real money.
With straightforward rules and the option to incorporate basic strategy, blackjack is a popular game for beginners and seasoned players alike. If you’re in the former camp and just getting started on your blackjack journey, here’s how the blackjack basics work.
Blackjack is a banking game that pits you against the dealer. The goal is to get a higher score than the dealer without going over 21 points. Going over 21 results in a bust (loss) for both you and dealer.
At the start of every round, you’re dealt two cards face-up and the dealer is dealt two cards, one that’s face up for you to see and one that’s face down. Your score will appear beside your hand, but it’s still helpful to know how to tally the score from your cards. All face cards are worth 10 points; anything under Jack has face value. Aces, meanwhile, are worth 11 points but convert down to 1 point when needed. A soft score is one with an 11-point Ace that can still go down to 1 point.
You may be satisfied with your dealt hand right off the hop; especially if you’ve landed a perfect score of 21, which is called Blackjack. If not, you’ll want to build up your hand. You can ‘hit’ and get an extra card, and/or stand to keep things as they are and complete your turn. The dealer will also hit if they have a score that’s lower than 17; otherwise, they stand.
A fun option that’s relevant when you have a score of 11 or 10 is to ‘double.’ This doubles your bet and gets you one more card—at which point you must stand and face the dealer. In the majority of blackjack games in our casino (European Blackjack being an exception), you can double any two cards.
If you’re dealt a pair off the initial deal, you get the opportunity to split the hand into two hands. The second hand will necessitate you putting down the same bet as the initial one. Some games have special rules and limits with how many times you can split Aces.
Sometimes you’ll be dealt total garbage like a score of 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or Ace; it’s inevitable and happens to the best of us. “Surrender” is usually the best bet here, since you retrieve half of your bet and end the round prematurely.
Lastly, Insurance is available in most blackjack games. This is offered when the dealer has an Ace as their up-card. It costs half of your bet and pays 2 to 1 when the dealer has Blackjack. This way you make back your loss.
You’ll play your hand with these options and face off with the dealer at the end. Whomever has the higher score, without going over 21, wins the round. If there’s a Blackjack (score of 21 off the initial deal), it’s an instant win with a bonus pay—provided your opponent doesn’t also have Blackjack.
22 Blackjack – Free Bet has most of the same basic rules listed above but with some innovative twists, most notably: the free bets.
Splitting a pair in blackjack incurs a cost; you need to put down the same size bet as the initial one for your second hand. But when playing 22 Blackjack – Free Bet, you can split your hand free of charge for all pairs except 10s and face cards. This boosts your winning potential without having to pay extra. The house chips in the cost of the split bet, and if you win, you’re paid the full amount.
Doubling is one of our favourite moves in blackjack. When you play the free bet version, you get the option of doubling down without having to pay; this is limited to scores of 9, 10, or 11. Let the house cover the extra bet while you benefit from the full payout if your bet wins.
Standard Blackjack has a well-established strategy that’s easily accessible through Blackjack Basic Strategy charts; this will differ from the strategy in 22 Blackjack – Free Bet. The way you play your hand will depend on whether you’re playing a free bet or a paid bet. Strategy charts have been created with this novel game in mind and can be found on the web. At the very least, keep in mind that you want to take advantage of every free bet opportunity that rolls your way. This game as a 98.45% RTP when played this way.
To balance the advantage of the free bets, this game uses the same “dealer pushes on 22” rule that we find in certain blackjack variants like Zappit Blackjack. If the dealer’s total is 22, it’s not a bust; your bet is returned to you as a push—unless of course you’ve already gone bust and lost the round. The only exception is if you have a natural blackjack, which will still issue a 3-2 payout in this instance.
Still looking for more action? Some extra side bets are tucked away in 22 Blackjack – Free Bet, making it possible to earn some bonus payouts on the side. The first is the 21+3 side bet; this is a bet on your two hole cards combining with the dealer’s up-card to form a mini poker hand. Capitalize on a flush, straight, straight flush, three-of-a-kind and suited three-of-a-kind for a solid payout.
The other side bet is Perfect Pairs, and as the name suggests, it pays out when you land a perfect pair on the initial deal. That could be 9h, 9h or 7c, 7c for example. With multiple decks in the shoe, there are opportunities to land perfect pairs. The odds of it happening are low, but payout is compelling.
Beyond the free bets, side bets and dealer push 22 rule, there are many similar rules between standard blackjack and the Free Bet version. For one, you’re paid 3 to 2 for landing Blackjack as per standard in our casino. As for the dealer, they must stand on all 17-point hands, including soft ones. The betting range is the same as with our regular blackjack games: $1 minimums and $500 maximums with all the same deposit and withdrawal options. Insurance bets follow the same rules as in your standard blackjack game too, making it possible to earn back your lost bet when the dealer has a natural.
One notable difference to bear in mind is the absence of the Surrender move. In 22 Blackjack — Free Bets, you don’t get the option to Surrender an unwanted hand. You’ve got to play it out and hope for something better next round.
If you love to play blackjack online, 22 Blackjack should be at the top of your must-try list. It offers the following standout features:
• Free Split Bet: Normally, splitting your hand costs extra, but with 22 Blackjack — Free Bets, it’s completely free when it’s with 2-9 and Aces.
• Free Double Bet: Double down on 9, 10, and 11 without any cost to you. And then reap the rewards if you win.
• Bonus Side Bets: Enjoy the extra action that comes with the Perfect Pairs and 21+3 poker side bets.
• Dealer Push with 22: This unique mechanic adds excitement to each round.
• Low Stakes: With a minimum bet of just $1.00 per round, this game is accessible to everyone. You can even try it free of charge using Practice Play mode.
For Canadian players looking to enjoy online blackjack, 22 Blackjack — Free Bets is a great choice. Its free bet features and innovative rules bring an exciting twist to the classic game, making it perfect for both new and experienced players. But don’t just take our word on it. Take the game for a spin on free trial mode. There’s no risk to your bankroll when you play this way. If you like it, switch to Real Play for real money payouts. If not, we have many other ways to play blackjack online, including Single Deck Blackjack, Double Deck and European Blackjack. We even have blackjack-inspired slot games (21 Wilds) for those who like the sound and feel of spinning reels.
Anyone interested in playing live blackjack can do just that in our Live Dealer Casino. While you won’t find 22 Blackjack — Free Bets here, you will find the classic version and Early Payout Blackjack in various table limits.
Bodog Casino is tailored for Canadian players who want to access their favourite casino games online, blackjack included. Signing up for a Bodog account is easy. The “Join” button brings up the Registration form for you to fill out. Type in key information, including your name, birthday, phone number and postal code; all information entered into our website is encrypted with SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protection and is secure from third parties. Hit “Register” and once your account is authorized on our end, you’re free to play online blackjack and all of the other games in our casino. We also have a sportsbook, racebook and poker rooms.
Keep in mind, your first deposit is eligible for our welcome bonus. Casino players enjoy a 100% match bonus where we match your first deposit dollar for dollar—up to a maximum of $600. On top of that, we’ll toss in 50 free spins on a popular slot game in our casino called Gods of Luxor.
Deposits can be made via Interac e-Transfer, credit card, or by using one of six accepted cryptocurrencies. For those who opt for crypto, they get an extra-big match bonus of 150% on the first crypto deposit, for up to $900 in bonus funds. On top of that, we add 100 free spins on that same popular slot.
If you need help getting started, and you can’t find what you’re looking for in the list of topics in our Help Center, contact our Customer Service team. Simply click “No” on the bar underneath the topics that says Did you find what you were looking for? You’ll see three contact methods to reach a Customer Service agent who will be happy to help.
After setting up your account and making your first transactions, you’ll be comfortable navigating the platform. Everything is accessible by computer and smartphone as long as you have a strong internet connection. For blackjack, you’ll find the live version in our Live Dealer section, and the online versions, including 22 Blackjack — Free Bets under the Blackjack Games tab in our casino. Good luck with your sessions and enjoy the free bets. May they be plentiful and rewarding.